A 31 year old southeast Missouri man has been sentenced to life in prison for a meth related fire that killed two young children.

The state attorney general's office said that Joshua L. Maynard, of Centerville, was sentenced Monday in Cape Girardeau County Circuit Court. The case was moved there from Reynolds County, where the December 2012 fire destroyed a home in Bunker.

Investigators said several children were sleeping in the home while Maynard and two others were trying to manufacture methamphetamine.

The fire killed 3 month old James Piatt and 2 year old Floyd Belfield Jr.

A jury convicted Maynard in October of arson, attempting to make meth and two counts of second degree murder.

DEXTER MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON ON MURDER CHARGE

A Dexter man is facing life in prison on a murder charge.

Matthew Cook was charged with first degree murder for the 2013 shooting death of Sean Crow. Cook pleaded guilty to the charge on Monday.

Following the plea, Cook was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

LATE NIGHT PURSUIT LEADS TO THE ARREST OF A SIKESTON WOMAN

A Sikeston woman is facing multiple charges following a late night pursuit with officers.

50 year old Lana Carnell has been charged with driving while intoxicated, driving on a revoked license, and resisting arrest.

According to Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter, an officer attempted to stop Carnell after observing her commit several traffic violations. Carnell allegedly failed to stop and accelerated, weaving dangerously in and out of traffic.

The deputy followed Carnell through Sikeston and into New Madrid County where she finally stopped. After a brief struggle, Carnell was taken into custody without further incident.

CHARLESTON MAN ARRESTED ON ROBBERY CHARGE

A Charleston man is facing multiple charges following a reported armed robbery at an area business.

According to the Charleston Department of Public Safety, shortly before midnight Sunday night officers received a report of an armed robbery at the Flying J Travel Center.

41 year old Richard Ware was found later with items that connected him to the robbery. He was placed under arrest on charges of robbery and burglary.

CHARLESTON MAN FOUND GUILTY OF FIREARM CHARGE

A Charleston man has been found guilty of a firearm charge.

Following a one day trial, 34 year old Mario Evans was found guilty of the felony of being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

In August of 2013, officers found a loaded .22 caliber semi-automatic pistol with the serial numbers removed, $1,260 in cash, and 45 grams of marijuana in the front seat of Evans’ car.

Evans had previously been convicted on a drug charge and was prohibited from possessing firearms. His sentencing was set for March 2nd.

MAN ARRESTED ON OUTSTANDING FELONY WARRANT IN SCOTT COUNTY

An Arizona man has been taken into custody in Scott County on an outstanding felony warrant.

According to Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter, an officer, driving a marked county patrol vehicle, was arriving at the home of another officer when he observed a blue 1996 Ford van with Arizona license plates drive into the front yard of the residence.

The officer made contact with the driver of the van, 68 year old James Crowell, of Kingman, Arizona. The officer was informed that Crowell has an outstanding felony warrant from 2003 out of Ripley County.

While searching Crowell’s vehicle, officers found a loaded gun in a holster attached inside the center console of the van. Walter says that Crowell is a convicted felon and is prohibited by law to possess the handgun.

He has been charged with felony unlawful possession of a firearm.

NEW DEXTER MEDICAL CENTER SET TO OPEN IN 2016

A new 45,000 square foot medical center is being planned in southeast Missouri.

Saint Francis Medical Partners says it is planning a 45,000-square-foot Dexter Health Campus, a $12 million project expected to open by January 2016. It will include cancer and heart specialists, an outpatient laboratory, outpatient physical therapy, primary and urgent care and a fitness center.

Until the project opens, Saint Francis physicians will work at a temporary facility, beginning in January.

The Dexter Daily Statesman reports it's the second major health facility opening in the town this year. In September, SoutheastHEALTH Center of Stoddard County completed the first of two phases with the opening of a $3 million medical office building expansion.

MICRO EARTHQUAKE REPORTED NEAR NEW MADRID

A micro earthquake was recorded Monday near New Madrid.

According to the Center for Earthquake Research and Information, a 2.2 magnitude quake occurred at 3:20 pm Monday four miles north northwest of New Madrid.

The earthquake had a depth of 7.2 miles.

BRIDGE REPAIRS SET FOR THIS WEEK IN NEW MADRID COUNTY

Route 153 in New Madrid County will be reduced to one lane for part of this week so Missouri Department of Transportation crews can perform bridge repairs.

The work zone will be located between the Tallapoosa City Limits and Route B.

Weather permitting; work will take place today through Thursday from 6:30 am to 3:30 pm daily.

MISSOURI’S 10TH EXECUTION OF THE YEAR SCHEDULED FOR TONIGHT

Missouri is preparing to execute Paul Goodwin for killing a neighbor woman with a hammer. It would be the state's 10th execution this year.

Goodwin is scheduled to die by injection at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday at the state prison in Bonne Terre. His attorney has filed court appeals and a clemency petition to Governor Jay Nixon, claiming Goodwin is mentally disabled.

Missouri's nine executions so far, tying the record set in 1999. Only Texas, with 10, has performed more executions this year.

Goodwin is 48. He sexually assaulted and killed Joan Crotts, a 63-year-old widow, in St. Louis County in 1998.